Health Care REIT, Inc. (NYSE:HCN) announced today that it will release its fourth quarter and full year 2011 financial results and provide 2012 guidance before the market opens on February 16, 2012. The company will also host a conference call on February 16, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss these results. The information to be discussed on the call will be contained in the company's earnings release, which will be available in the News section of the company's website at www.hcreit.com.

The conference call will be accessible by telephone and through the Internet. Telephone access will be available by dialing (888) 346-2469 or (706) 758-4923 (international). For those unable to listen to the call live, a taped rebroadcast will be available beginning two hours after completion of the call through March 1, 2012. To access the rebroadcast, dial (855) 859-2056 or (404) 537-3406 (international). The conference ID number is 43180250. To participate in the webcast, log on to www.hcreit.com or www.earnings.com 15 minutes before the call to download the necessary software. Replays will be available for 90 days through the same websites.

About Health Care REIT, Inc. Health Care REIT, Inc., an S&P 500 company with headquarters in Toledo, Ohio, is a real estate investment trust that invests across the full spectrum of seniors housing and health care real estate. The company also provides an extensive array of property management and development services. As of September 30, 2011, the company's broadly diversified portfolio consisted of 898 properties in 45 states. More information is available on the company's website at www.hcreit.com.

Health Care REIT, Inc.
Scott Estes, 419-247-2800
or
Jennifer Steiner, 419-247-2800